Pre-qualifying, third for Ramos/Müller

The Maserati MC12 driven by Müller/Ramos clocked the third best time in the second 80 minute free practice stint.

This morning's session took place in variable weather and this caused the cars some problems with Thomas Biagi's Ford GT40 suffering serious engine trouble. The race commissioners had no option but to show the red flag as Biagi's car ended up in a dangerous position on the track.

The session got going again after a few minutes and Müller/Ramos' MC12 was in second place for long stretches, tucked in behind Kumpen/Hezemans in the Corvette, before being relegated to third when Wendlinger/Sharp's Saleen S7 clocked the fastest lap overall. Reigning champions Andrea Bertolini and Michael Bartels came sixth after focusing on the race set up for the car.

Qualifying to decide the grid positions for the race will be held in the afternoon.

Pre-qualifying session

n°

Driver

Car

Time

1

14

Wendlinger/Sharp

Saleen S7

1:43.592

2

4

Hezemans/Kumpen

Corvette Z06

1:43.991

3

2

Ramos/Müller

Maserati MC12

1:44.145

4

9

Menten/Palttala

Corvette Z06

1:44.619

5

19

Maassen/Moreau

Corvette Z06

1:44.887

6

1

Bartels/Bertolini

Maserati MC12

1:45.206

7

18

Lacko/Dominguez

Saleen S7

1:46.186

8

3

Longin/Ruffier

Corvette Z06

1:46.342

9

11

Lemeret/Hines

Saleen S7 Twin Turbo

1:46.586

10

13

Orts/Monfardini

Saleen S7

1:46.901

The MC12s do well in free practice

The 2009 FIA GT season officially got underway with the first free practice season at Silverstone in England.

The 80 minute session was a sneak preview of how the championship might go with not much to call between the cars. The Vitaphone Racing Team Maserati MC12s got off to a solid start and set the second and third best times with, respectively, Müller/Ramos and Bertolini/Bartels, a tenth down on the Corvette Z06 duo of Kumpen/Hezemans.

Free practice

n°

Driver

Car

Time

1

4

Hezemans/Kumpen

Corvette Z06

1:45.914

2

2

Ramos/Müller

Maserati MC12

1:46.029

3

1

Bartels/Bertolini

Maserati MC12

1:46.058

4

14

Wendlinger/Sharp

Saleen S7

1:46.186

5

3

Longin/Ruffier

Corvette Z06

1:46.907

6

19

Maassen/Moreau

Corvette Z06

1:46.990

7

9

Menten/Palttala

Corvette Z06

1:47.008

8

18

Lacko/Dominguez

Saleen S7

1:47.508

9

13

Orts/Monfardini

Saleen S7

1:48.231

10

40

Leinders/Kuppens

Ford GT (001 PT GT1)

1:48.596

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